Eyewear, eyewear systems and associated methods for enhancing vision

ABSTRACT

Embodiments according to the present disclosure are directed to, for example, head mounted eyewear (e.g., similar in form to traditional eye glasses) that includes low light vision enhancing and/or additional vision enhancing capabilities (e.g., near-vision enhancing capabilities). For example, in some embodiments, a head mounted housing arrangement is provided that includes an eyepiece adjacent to a wearer&#39;s eye, one or more imaging devices (e.g., one or more solid state or other imagers sensitive to light, including low light levels), one or more image generator(s) operatively coupled to the imager(s) (e.g., optically coupled, in electrical communication with, or wirelessly coupled) to receive an output from the imaging device(s), and/or one or more optical elements (e.g., a combination of mirror(s) and/or lenses). The one or more optical elements may place an output of the image generator(s) into a position that is visible to the wearer&#39;s eye.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/686,894 to Ainsworth et al., filed Aug.25, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,437,080, issued Oct. 8, 2019, andentitled “Eyewear, Eyewear Systems and Associated Methods for EnhancingVision”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/150,347 to Ainsworth et al., filed Jan. 8, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,759,932, issued Sep. 12, 2017, and entitled “Eyewear, Eyewear Systemsand Associated Methods for Enhancing Vision”, which claims priority toand benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/750,189 to Ainsworth et al., filed Jan. 8, 2013, andentitled “Eyewear And Associated Methods For Enhancing Vision,” andincorporates their disclosures herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to eyewear forenhancing human vision.

SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In some embodiments, head mounted eyewear (e.g., similar in form totraditional eye glasses) is provided that includes low light visionenhancing and/or additional vision enhancing capabilities (e.g.,near-vision enhancing capabilities). For example, in some embodiments, ahead mounted housing arrangement is provided that includes an eyepieceadjacent to a wearer's eye, one or more imaging devices (e.g., one ormore solid state or other imagers sensitive to light, including lowlight levels), one or more image generator(s) operatively coupled to theimager(s) (e.g., optically coupled, in electrical communication with, orwirelessly coupled) to receive an output from the imaging device(s),and/or one or more optical elements (e.g., a combination of mirror(s)and/or lenses). The one or more optical elements may place an output ofthe image generator(s) into a position that is visible to the wearer'seye.

In some embodiments, an eyewear system is provided which may comprise aframe, and one or more components integrated with the frame, thecomponents selected from the group consisting of: a digital camera, amicroprocessor, a micro-display, projection optics, and opticalprescription lenses. In such embodiments, the system may furthercomprise at least one of a battery, one or more electrical connectors,and wireless communication means.

Embodiments may also include a wireless remote control, where thewireless remote control is configured to control one or more functionsof at least one of the components. Such functions may comprise at leastone of on/off, one or more display modes, digital magnification,contrast stretch, low light level signal amplification, and dynamicrange alteration of one or both eyes.

In some embodiments, an eyewear system is provided which may include atleast one sidearm (and in some embodiments, two), a nose piece, at leastone eyepiece (and in some embodiments, two), one or more opticalelements, one or more imaging devices, and one or more image generatorscoupled to the one or more imaging devices.

In some embodiments, an eyewear system is provided which comprises atraditional pair of eyeglasses comprising a frame, optionally two sidearms, corresponding lenses, and a nose piece, configured with low lightvision enhancing means and/or additional vision enhancing means. Theeyeglasses are configured such that the eyeglasses do not protrudefurther than about 40 to about 90 mm from the bridge of the wearer'snose, from the top of the lens to the bottom of each lens is betweenabout 15 to about 100 mm, the distance between the lenses is betweenabout 1 to about 25 mm, and a respective arm is between about 100 and180 mm in length.

These and many other embodiments, objects and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be even more apparent with reference to the attacheddrawings and corresponding detailed description which follows.Immediately below are brief descriptions of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance with yetanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance with stillanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another embodiment of vision enhancingeyewear according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance with stillanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams of vision enhancing eyewear in accordancewith yet other embodiments according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9A is a front view of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance withyet other embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9B is a side view of vision enhancing eyewear of the eyewear shownin FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is an optical ray diagram illustrating how the apparatusdescribed in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 can be configured to render an imageaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10B is an optical ray diagram illustrating how the apparatusdescribed in FIGS. 1 and 5 can be configured to render an imagedaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an optical ray diagram illustrating how the apparatusdescribed in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 can be configured to render an imageaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating a front view of vision enhancingeyewear according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating a side view of vision enhancingeyewear according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 13A is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13B is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13C is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14A is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14B is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14C illustrates a view of the embodiments of FIG. 14B in which thebattery system to power the device is housed in the assembled side armof the modular frame.

FIG. 14D illustrates an exploded cross section of the side armconstruction according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Accordingly, some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toa low-profile, wearable apparatus that includes one or more (e.g., aplurality, and in some embodiments, all) of the following capabilities:

-   -   low light vision enhancement    -   wide dynamic range    -   contrast enhancement    -   digital zoom    -   optical zoom    -   dynamic range scaling

In some embodiments, the general form of some of the embodimentsdisclosed herein may be similar to that of traditional eyewear (e.g.,spectacles, sunglasses, or reading glasses), except that the apparatusmay include low light vision enhancing and/or additional visionenhancing capabilities. In some embodiments, the profile of theapparatus may be minimized in terms of its size and shape, e.g., suchthat the apparatus appears similar to if not indistinguishable fromtraditional eyewear. This is generally in contrast to night-visiongoggles and other existing, bulky low-light vision enhancing products.

For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus may be sized andconfigured such that, from the bridge of the wearer's nose, theapparatus does not protrude further than 3 inches, further than 2inches, or further than 1 inch, from the bridge of the wearer's nose(e.g., the apparatus protruding between 1-2 inches or between 1-3 inchesfrom the wearer's nose). In some embodiments, the apparatus may includetwo sidearms, which may be of the same or similar dimensions to the armsof traditional glasses.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the dimensionalranges of the eyewear may be, by way of example, as follows (the mannerof determining these measurements according to some embodiments of thepresent disclosure is illustrated in FIG. 12):

-   -   A measurement: (temple to the nose piece): 40-90 mm, or any        values or ranges of values in between, e.g., 50-54 mm    -   B measurement: (top of lens to bottom of lens): 15 mm-100 mm, or        any values or ranges of values in between    -   Nose piece measures, the DBL (distance-between-lenses): 1-25 mm        width, or any values or ranges of values in between

Arm length (temple length): 100-180 mm, or any values or ranges ofvalues in between.

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate multiple embodiments and aspects relating to visionenhancing eyewear. These figures are shown two-dimensionally from theaspect of an observer viewing the apparatus from above. In someembodiments, the apparatus is symmetrical or substantially symmetricalwith respect to the wearer's left and right eyes. For example, the sameor similar design (e.g., optical elements) may be provided for both eyesto enable bilateral viewing (e.g., viewing of the same image(s)). Inother embodiments, only one eye of the apparatus may have enhancedvision capability (e.g., with the other eyepiece being a traditionaleyepiece (e.g., lens) for normal vision), or the two eyepieces may havedifferent enhanced vision capabilities.

Turning to FIG. 1, one embodiment of vision enhancing eyewear 100includes sidearms 102, nose piece 104, and eyepieces 106, which may beintegrated into a single housing or frame (e.g., formed from plastic,metal and/or composite material) that is supported by the bridge of awearer's nose. In some embodiments, this frame, 101, may containcavities and/or attachments for electronic components, camera(s) opticalcomponents, microprocessor(s), service channel(s), wiring, connectors,transmitter(s), receiver(s), battery and electric power sources andcharging devices. In some embodiments, the two sidearms 102 may beconfigured to extend from the body/eyepieces of the frame to beyond thewearer's skin that overlies the upper pinna of the ear and the skinoverlying the temporal bone of the skull. In some embodiments, one orboth eyepieces 106 may provide a visual image display surface for awearer.

Apparatus 100 may include one or more optical elements 108 (e.g.,condensing optical lens(es)) and/or one or more imaging devices 110(e.g., sensors or photocells, which may include a silicon chip). In someembodiments, multiple imagers 110 may be provided within apparatus 100,where said imagers 110 may be the same, substantially the same, ordifferent. Alternatively or additionally, apparatus 100 may include oneor more image generators (e.g., one or more processors) 112 coupled toimager(s) 110. For example, one or more optical elements 108 may focusincident light either as waves of all wavelengths or photons of variedenergy onto an imager 110. Two illustrative cardinal rays (solid lineslabeled with arrow showing direction of the ray) are shown from anobject (e.g., at a location approaching infinity) brought to a focus onthe imager 110. Image generator(s) 112 may automatically executenon-transitory computer program instructions to perform imageprocess(es) that, for example, process signal(s) (e.g., electricaland/or optical signals) from the imager 110 in order to enhance theluminance, contrast and/or other aspects of the signal(s). Imagegenerator(s) 112 may include any suitable hardware, software, orcombination thereof for performing the functions disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, imager(s) 110 and/or image generator(s) 112 mayinclude one or more charge-couple devices (CCDs) and/or complementarymetal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imagers. Without intending to belimited, an example of a suitable imager 110 according to someembodiments of the present disclosure includes the Omnivision OV5116NCMOS imager or its equivalent or comparable device(s). Optical elements108 and 110 and image generator(s) 112 are shown in FIG. 1 as beinggenerally located within or otherwise coupled to nose piece 104 ofapparatus 100. However, it will be understood that the presentlydisclosed embodiments are not necessarily limited to that configuration.Optical elements 108 and 110, and/or image processor(s) 112, can beplaced in other location(s) within or coupled to apparatus 100 withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. Forexample, in some embodiments, image processor(s) 112 may be locatedwithin or adjacent to a sidearm 102, or in a standalone housing that iscoupled (e.g., optically coupled, in electrical communication with,and/or wirelessly coupled) to apparatus 100.

In some embodiments, apparatus 100 may include optical system 114 (e.g.,projector system, screen, or display device). Optical system 114 may belocated in or coupled to a sidearm 102 of the eyewear, although otherlocations are possible in other embodiments (e.g., within or coupled tonose piece 104). An output of image processor(s) 112 may be coupled toan input of optical system 114 via any suitable optical, electricaland/or electromagnetic/radio/wireless connection(s). For example, suchcoupling may be made through the eyepiece portion of the frame ofapparatus 100. Without intending to be limited, suitable examples of anoptical system 114 implemented as a projector system that may beutilized in various embodiments of the present disclosure include one ormore light emitting diode (LED) projectors, such as those manufacturedby Fraunhofer(www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2012/may/mini-projector-for-smartphones.html)and Lemoptix (www.lemoptix.com/technology/_products/mviewmicroprojector)or their equivalent or comparable devices. Without intending to belimited, suitable examples of an optical system 114 implemented as ascreen that may be utilized in various embodiments of the presentdisclosure include one or more screens used in the Carl Zeiss Cinemizerand/or the Vuzix Wrap 920, liquid crystal display(s), and light emittingdiode screen(s).

In some embodiments, apparatus 100 may include one or more opticalelements for providing the light generated by optical system 114 to thewearer's eye 122. For example, as shown, apparatus 100 may includemirror(s) 116 coupled to nose piece 104, mirror(s) 118 coupled toeyepiece frame 106, and one or more lens(es) 120. In some embodiments,lens 120 is connected to the apparatus at one or more of nose piece 104,eyepiece frame 106 and/or sidearm 102 (e.g., each lens 120 beingconnected to sidearm 102 and eyepiece frame 106). Light generated byoptical system 114 may be reflected by mirror 116 towards mirror 118,which in turn reflects the light through lens(es) 120 to the wearer'seye.

In some embodiments, the apparatus described in accordance with thepresent disclosure may have a wide dynamic range. Generally, dynamicrange reflects the ratio between the maximum and minimum measurablelight intensities (“white” and “black”) in an image. In someembodiments, the apparatus described herein detects incoming light, byway of example only, in the range of one to one thousand lux (a factorof approximately 1,000 fold, equivalent to approximately 30 db,equivalent to approximately 10 base-2 stops) or any value or range ofvalues in between.

Referring again to FIG. 1, and for example, in some embodimentsapparatus 100 may include one or more analog-to-digital converters(ADCs) for one or more pixel(s) of the imager or light sensor (e.g., oneADC per pixel). Such ADC circuitry may be included within, for example,image generator(s) 112. The ADC circuitry may convert incoming lightsignals to digital signals directly at the point of capture, therebylowering degradation and cross-talk/ghosting (e.g., caused byoverlapping of pixel images). This may allow for improvednoise-reduction and dynamic range. Once in digital format, imagegenerator(s) 112 may perform one or more computer processing methods foroptimal or improved image reproduction.

In some embodiments, the apparatus described in accordance with someembodiments, may include a contrast enhancement capability. Thiscapability may increase the extent to which adjacent areas of an opticalimage produced by the apparatus differ in luminance (“brightness”)and/or color. In various embodiments, contrast enhancement may beaccomplished using physical element(s) (e.g., optical quality lensessuch as used in single lens reflex cameras, which may be included withinoptical elements 108 and/or imager(s) 110), and/or digital elements(s)(e.g., electronic circuitry and/or software such as those used incamcorders, cell phone cameras or digital-only cameras, which may beincluded within image processor(s) 112). Alternatively or additionally,contrast enhancement may be accomplished by one or more of thefollowing:

-   -   1. Selecting (e.g., at the time of manufacture of the apparatus)        or changing (e.g., during use by the wearer or automatically) a        chemical composition of an optical element (e.g., image screen,        mirror, amplifier, beam splitter, or lens) to absorb or better        reflect desired wavelengths. This can include reflective        (inorganic) metal chemistry, organic (e.g., dye) chemistry, or        both.    -   2. Selecting or changing incoming light filter chemical        composition to absorb/transmit selective wavelengths. For        example, yellow lenses (e.g., lens(es) 108) may be utilized in        some embodiments to increase light/dark contrasts.    -   3. Selecting or changing chemical composition of finishes on        lenses, filters, and/or other optical elements to physically        protect optical surfaces from scratching, thereby improving an        ability to achieve contrast enhancement.    -   4. Utilizing self-cleaning surface chemistries or chemical        coatings (e.g., siliconization or silanization) that prevent        water/salt damage (e.g., from perspiration, rain) or image        occlusion that could negatively affect contrast.    -   5. Selecting polymers and their purit(ies) for optical plastic        components to prevent interference with contrast enhancements        achieved in other system components.

In some embodiments, the apparatus described herein are intended toenhance detection of local luminance differences on the order of, by wayof example only, up to 3 fold, up to 10 fold, up to 25 fold, or anyvalue or range of values in between.

Without intending to be limited, suitable contrast enhancementfunctionality that may be utilized in various embodiments of the presentdisclosure is included in the contrast enhancement functionality of theBlackberry Bold cell phone camera, Sony camcorders utilizing TruBlacktechnology, the Samsung HMX-S10BP camcorder, the Panasonic HC-V100Krecorder, the VEM110 Adimec Video contrast enhancement module, or theirequivalent or comparable functionalities.

In some embodiments, the apparatus described in accordance with thepresent disclosure may include a digital zoom capability. For example,the digital zoom capability provided by the apparatus described hereinaccording to some embodiments may include digital zoom up to 2 fold, upto 5 fold, up to 10 fold, up to 15 fold, up to 25 fold, or any value orrange of values in between. For example, referring again to FIG. 1, insome embodiments, a digital zoom function may be enabled by computersoftware in, connected to, or otherwise controlling image generator(s)112 of apparatus 100. The digital zoom function may decrease (narrow)the apparent angle of view of a digital photographic or video image andthus make the subject appear “closer”.

The digital zoom capability may include, for example, cropping an imageand then stretching the cropped image to make it larger. In someembodiments, the resulting image can be the same size as the maximumresolution image but, because it has been stretched, no additionaldetail is visible. In some embodiments, this process can be accomplishedelectronically, with no adjustment of optics (e.g., lenses). Other imageprocessing techniques may alternatively or additionally be used. Forexample, simply increasing the size of the pixels, with no downstreamimage modification or enhancement, might create a jagged orstair-stepped appearance. For this reason, different technique(s) (e.g.,technique(s) also implemented by computer software utilized by imagegenerator(s) 112) may be used to “fill in” the missing pixels. Forexample, apparatus 100 (FIG. 1) may include within image generator(s)112 computer memory that stores computer-executable instructions(executable by one or more computer processors) for, for example,determining attributes of a pixel's nearest neighboring pixels andcalculating an average, and/or taking other factor(s) into account toachieve a digital zoom. For example, without intending to be limited,suitable digital zoom functionality that may be utilized in variousembodiments of the present disclosure is included in the digital zoomfunctionality of current cell phone cameras (e.g., Nokia Lumia cellphone cameras), Panasonic camcorders, Canon EOS digital cameras, PelcoSpectra IV surveillance cameras, Olympus Stereo Zoom microscopes, ortheir equivalent or comparable functionalities.

In some embodiments, the apparatus disclosed herein may include anoptical zoom capability. For example, the optical zoom capabilityprovided by the apparatus described herein according to some embodimentsmay include optical zoom up to 2 fold, up to 5 fold, up to 10 fold, upto 15 fold, up to 25 fold, or any other value or range of values inbetween. In some embodiments, the optical zoom capability utilizes themovement of physical lenses to change the focal length of a camera.Optical zoom makes the subject appear closer with maximum image quality.For example, referring again to FIG. 1, in some embodiments an opticalzoom function may be provided by one or more lenses 108. For example,without intending to be limited, suitable optical zoom functionalitythat may be utilized in various embodiments of the present disclosure isincluded in the optical zoom functionality of current single lens reflexor digital/single lens reflex combination cameras, such as thosemanufactured by Nikon, Leica, Pentax, Olympus or Minolta; Nikon, Zeiss,Swarovski or Bushnell binoculars; Leupold, Minox, Weaver or Nikon targetsighting scopes, or their equivalent or comparable functionalities.

In some embodiments, the apparatus disclosed herein may include adynamic range scaling capability. For example, in some embodiments, theapparatus disclosed herein may re-scale the dynamic range of inputsignals (e.g., intensity and/or wavelength) to accommodate visualdynamic range responses, such as those amended by ophthalmic therapiesincluding, by way of example only, gene therapeutics. This can be doneby increasing or decreasing the brightness of a given scene (as can bedone with current projectors, displays, and/or monitors), and/orattuning projected wavelengths to best match existing/remainingrhodopsins/opsins in the wearer's retina. By way of example, the lattercan include converting a color scene to gray-scale, but may alsoincorporate other light wavelengths as the wearer's spectral responsebest dictates. By way of further example, a color scene may be convertedto predominantly blue (450-495 nm), green (495-570 nm), yellow (570-590nm), red (620-750 nm) or blended combinations thereof. In someembodiments, the dynamic range scaling capability may be provided aspart of image generator(s) 112.

FIG. 2-7B are diagrams of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance withother embodiment of the present disclosure. These embodiments mayinclude the same or similar sidearms 102, nose piece 104, eyepieces 106,optical element(s) 108, imager(s) 110, and/or image generator(s) 112 asdescribed above in connection with FIG. 1. Accordingly, only theadditional details in connection with the embodiments of FIGS. 2-7 b aredescribed below.

Turning to FIG. 2, apparatus 200 may include optical system 214, whichmay be similar to optical system 114 (FIG. 1) albeit coupled to aneyepiece 106 instead of a sidearm 102. Apparatus 200 may also includeone or more optical element(s) (e.g., one or more lenses), which may bethe same as or similar to optical element(s) 120 (FIG. 1). The apparatusof FIG. 2 may transmit an image to the wearer's eye from an opticalsystem (e.g., projector system or screen) located in or coupled to oneof the eyepieces of the apparatus. The apparatus may also include one ormore optical elements (e.g., a lens or lens system for refraction) toallow the image to be rendered in such a fashion that the human eye,with or without additional optical correction, can focus the light.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a vision enhancing eyewear apparatus inaccordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. Asshown, the apparatus may transmit an image to the wearer's eye from anoptical system (e.g., projector system or screen) located in or coupledto a side arm of the apparatus. Light generated by the optical systemmay be reflected by one or more optical elements (e.g., a mirror) in orcoupled to an eyepiece. The apparatus may also include another one ormore optical elements (e.g., lens or lens system for refraction) toallow the image to be rendered in such a fashion that the human eye,with or without additional optical correction, can focus the light.Accordingly, as shown, eyewear apparatus 300 may include optical system322 (e.g., movie projector), which may be similar to optical system 114(FIG. 1). Apparatus 300 may also include one or more mirrors 318, whichmay be the same as or similar to mirror(s) 118 (FIG. 1), and one or moreoptical element(s) (e.g., one or more lenses), which may be the same asor similar to optical element(s) 120 (FIG. 1). In FIG. 3, light fromoptical system 322 is reflected by mirror(s) 318 through opticalelement(s) 120 and into a wearer's eye. FIG. 10a and FIG. 11 are opticalray diagrams illustrating how the apparatus described in FIGS. 3, 4, and6 can be configured to render an image in such a fashion that the humaneye, with or without additional optical correction, can focus the light.

FIG. 4 shows an apparatus that is similar to FIG. 3, except the opticalsystem 424 (same as or similar to optical system 322 in FIG. 3) iscoupled to nose piece 104. As shown, the apparatus may transmit an imageto the wearer's eye from an optical system (e.g., projector system orscreen) located in or coupled to a nose piece of the apparatus. Lightgenerated by the optical system may be reflected by an optical element(e.g., mirror) in or coupled to an eyepiece. The apparatus may alsoinclude one or more optical elements (e.g., lens or lens system forrefraction) to allow the image to be rendered in such a fashion that thehuman eye, with or without additional optical correction, can focus thelight.

FIG. 5 employs a video projector system 526 to generate the imagetransmitted to the eye whereas FIG. 1, in some embodiments, uses ascreen. As shown, the apparatus may transmit an image to the wearer'seye from an optical system (e.g., projector system or screen) located inor coupled to a side arm of the apparatus. Light generated by theoptical system may be reflected by an optical element (e.g., mirror)placed in a nose piece of the apparatus and in turn reflected by anotheroptical element (e.g., mirror) placed in an eyepiece. The apparatus mayalso include one or more optical elements (e.g., lens or lens system forrefraction) to allow the image to be rendered in such a fashion that thehuman eye, with or without additional optical correction, can focus thelight. For example, in some embodiments, FIG. 5 employs a videoprojector system to generate the image transmitted to the eye, whereasFIG. 1 may use a screen in some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another embodiment of vision enhancingeyewear according to the present disclosure, in which the housing of theapparatus includes a beam splitter, located in or coupled to the nosepiece and frame of the eyewear, that is coupled to an optical system(e.g., two projectors) to provide an image to both of the wearer's eyes.Accordingly, the illustrated apparatus includes beam splitter 630,located in or coupled to the nose piece and frame of the eyewear. Beamsplitter 630 is coupled to an optical system (e.g., projector system orscreen), which may be the same as or similar to optical system 424 (FIG.4), to provide an image (e.g., same or similar image) to both of thewearer's eyes.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance with stillanother embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the apparatusmay transmit an image to the wearer's eye from an optical system (e.g.,projector system or screen) located in or coupled to a side arm of theapparatus. Light generated by the optical system may transmitted byoptical elements comprising one or more prism(s) and/or mirror(s) and/orlens(es) housed in the arm and/or frame of the apparatus to transmit theimage generated by the optical. The apparatus may also include one ormore optical elements (e.g., lens or lens system for refraction) toallow the image to be rendered in such a fashion that the human eye,with or without additional optical correction, can focus the light. FIG.7 may differ from FIGS. 1,3, 4, 5 and 6 because the embodiment mayemploy prism(s) and/or mirror(s) and/or lens(es) to transmit the imagegenerated by the optical system (e.g., projector system or screen) tothe eye, whereas in some instances the other embodiments may not.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams of vision enhancing eyewear in accordancewith yet other embodiments according to the present disclosure, in whichincident or ambient light is captured by multiple imaging systems (e.g.,multiple cameras). As shown, apparatus 800 may include two or more(typically within the range of two to five)—cameras 108 and 109 coupledto imager(s) and/or image generator(s) similar to or the same as thosedescribed in FIG. 1. For example, one or more cameras may be for lowlight image construction, and other cameras may be for other imageconstruction (e.g., near-vision construction, where near vision refersto a commonly used phrase in ophthalmology describing vision for objects1 meter or closer to the viewer). In some embodiments, the apparatus mayinclude either a manual (e.g., switch) or automatic adjustmentcapability that causes the images from the lenses to be transmitted toboth eyes. In some embodiments, consistent with human monovision, adistant image focused by one lens and near image focused by the otherlens may be simultaneously transmitted to one or both eyes. In FIG. 7a ,the lenses and imagers 110/111 are shown to be part of (in or coupledto) nose piece 104 of the eyewear. In FIG. 7b , the lenses and imagers110/111 are shown to be placed in any other location in or coupled tothe frame 106 of the apparatus (e.g., within the eyepiece portion of theframe).

FIGS. 9A and 9B, are diagrams of vision enhancing eyewear in accordancewith yet other embodiment according to the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, the wearer is able to view through the eyepieces in the samefashion as through the wearer's ametropic correction, by way ofexamples, but not limited to myopic, hypermetropic, balance andastigmatic correction, incorporating appropriate corrections for bestvision sphere and back vertex distance. In this embodiment, the eyepieceof the apparatus comprises both a clear portion and a viewing screen914, for projected images. Element 914 viewing screen may comprise anyavailable display system, for example the OLIGHTEK OLED microdisplay(www.OLIGHTEK.com), may transmit an image to the wearer's eye from anyof the optical systems and elements previously described in FIGS. 1-7and the image will be presented to the wearer in some portion of element914, which may be situated at, for example but not limited to, theinfero-nasal part of the eyepiece, an area of the eyepiece oftenutilized for the bifocal segment of an eyepiece lens. This embodimentmay allow the wearer to choose whether to view an image/scene throughthe eyepiece lens 906, which may incorporate correction for thepatient's ametropia or the image presented through the optical apparatuselement 914.

FIG. 10A is an optical ray diagram illustrating how the apparatusdescribed in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 can be configured to render an imageaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in such afashion that the human eye, with or without additional opticalcorrection, can focus the light. FIG. 10B is an optical ray diagramillustrating how the apparatus described in FIGS. 1 and 5 can beconfigured to render an image according to some embodiments of thepresent disclosure, in such a fashion that the human eye, with orwithout additional optical correction, can focus the light.

FIG. 11 is an optical ray diagram illustrating how the apparatusdescribed in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 can be configured to render an imageaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in such afashion that the human eye, with or without additional opticalcorrection, can focus the light.

In FIG. 12A, the A, B and DBL measurements are shown. In FIG. 12B, thearm length is shown. In the views, the arm length (as described as thetemple length) of the apparatus is calculated as the sum of thehorizontal portions (LB) and the vertical portions (LD).

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate multiple embodiments and aspects relating tovision enhancing eyewear. These figures are shown two-dimensionally fromthe aspect of an observer viewing the apparatus from in front.

FIG. 13A is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance withstill another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, thisembodiment is a modular dual use design of an eyeglass frame depictinguse in the capacity of standard frame fitted with prescription lens.

FIG. 13B is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance withstill another embodiment of the present disclosure. The modular dual useframe is depicted as having been affixed with a multi-chip modulecomposed of a camera, digital image processor, and display. Themulti-chip module is affixed to support features and secured to themodular frame. The single prescription lens remains in place for clearviewing.

FIG. 13C is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance withstill another embodiment of the present disclosure. Edge cross sectionalview depicting prescription lens affixed to the modular frame and themulti-chip module, containing the camera, processor, and display alsoaffixed to the modular frame. In the direct view display application,the display comprises the upper 33% of the optical field of view, withthe remaining 67% unobscured for clear viewing.

FIG. 14A is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear in accordance withstill another embodiment of the present disclosure. Depicted is thefrontal view of modular dual use frame used in standard prescriptionoptical modality. FIG. 14B is a diagram of vision enhancing eyewear inaccordance with still another embodiment of the present disclosure,showing a frontal view of a dual use modular frame with multi-chipmodule for vision enhancement affixed to the frame. FIG. 14C shows aview of the embodiment of FIG. 14B in which the battery system to powerthe device is housed in the assembled side arm of the modular frame.FIG. 14D is the exploded cross section of the side arm constructiondepicting an example of a cavity for battery (1400) and cabling,supports, and interior construction/attachment elements, plus the framearmature to which the assembled pieces of the side arm are attached.

In some embodiments, the apparatus disclosed herein may be configured todetect light in the spectrum of approximately 450 nm-1150 nm (ambientand/or projected light) where light levels in the visual spectrum arelow (e.g., below 100 lux, down to 10 lux, down to 1 lux, down to 0.01lux, down to 0.0001 lux, or any values or ranges of values in between).For example, in some embodiments, one or more light sensors (e.g.,photocells) of the apparatus may be configured to detect light incidentupon the apparatus from a frontal aspect of the eyeware (e.g., theregion immediately in front of the wearer's eyes).

In some embodiments, the apparatus disclosed herein may be capable ofdetecting low light levels in the visual spectrum (e.g., below 100 lux,down to 10 lux, down to 1 lux, down to 0.01 lux, down to 0.0001 lux, orany values or ranges of values in between) and projecting detectedimages at light levels within the dynamic range of human photoreceptorcells. For example, in some embodiments, this can be performed throughthe use of electronic amplifiers (e.g., low-light detectingcharge-couple devices (CCDs) imagers and/or complementary metal oxidesemiconductor (CMOS) imagers) and/or physical amplifiers (e.g., lightguide arrays including, for example, one or more lenses, mirrors, and/orfiber optics that gather, concentrate and project light signals and/oreffectively create a larger aperture for light). Such physicalamplifier(s) may be located in, for example, the nose piece, eyepieceframe(s), and/or sidearm(s) of the eyewear.

Each of the various illustrative processors, circuits, and/or computerprocessors described in connection with the embodiments disclosed hereinmay be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, adigital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or otherprogrammable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discretehardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform thefunctions described herein. A general purpose processor may be amicroprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be anyprocessor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processormay also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., acombination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration.

In one or more example embodiments, the functions and methods describedmay be implemented in hardware, software, or firmware executed on aprocessor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, thefunctions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or moreinstructions or code on a computer-readable medium or memory.Computer-readable media include both non-transitory computer storagemedia and communication media including any medium that facilitatestransfer of a computer program. A storage medium may be any availablemedia that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and notlimitation, such computer-readable media can include non-transitorycomputer-readable media including RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storagedevices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desiredprogram code in the form of instructions or data structures and that canbe accessed by a computer (e.g., one or more processors).

Hardware, software, and firmware may be housed in the frame, or sidearmsof the eyewear, for example. Alternately hardware, software, andfirmware may be housed in an apparatus attached to the eyewear by, forexample, a tether (detachable, or hardwired) or in communication withthe eyewear by wireless means, including but not limited to Bluetooth,wi-fi, etc. In the case of a detachable tether, the attachments site onthe eyewear may be in the form of a USB port (including mini or microUSB), or other standard or suitable computer/electronic connections. Thetether may form a loop behind the wearer's head (e.g., in the fashion ofCroakies eyewear retainers), providing improved retention of theeyewear. In some embodiments, the tether may be attached to a singlepoint on the eyewear frame, enabling the wearer to clip the hardware toan inconspicuous spot on clothing, slip it into a shirt pocket, etc.

In some embodiments, the apparatus houses and/or is otherwise coupled tothe software, hardware, electromagnetic transmission and/or receivingdevice(s), and/or electronic wiring or wireless capabilities that enablethe wearer to access the internet for the purposes of, but not limitedto, geographical position location, direction and route finding andother information relating to the external environment and viewing ofinternet webpages, for example but not limited to, video and/or moviewebsites such as Nefflix, Youtube, Hulu, etc. Such components may belocated in and/or coupled to any suitable part of the apparatus,including sidearm(s) 102, nose piece 104, and/or eyepiece frames 106.

In some embodiments, the apparatus houses and/or is otherwise coupled tothe software, hardware, electromagnetic transmission and/or receivingdevice(s), and/or electronic wiring or wireless capabilities that enablethe eyewear to act as a computer or computing device monitor or display.Such computers or computing devices include, but are not limited topersonal computers, laptops, mobile telephones, smart phones, computertablets (e.g., iPad), e-books (e.g., Kindle, Nook), computer harddrives, solid-state hard drives, external hard drives, thumb drives, orsimilar devices. Such components may be located in and/or coupled to anysuitable part of the apparatus, including sidearm(s) 102, nose piece104, and/or eyepiece frames 106.

In some embodiments, the apparatus house(s) and/or is otherwise coupledto the software, hardware, electromagnetic transmission and/or receivingdevice(s), and/or electronic wiring or wireless capabilities that enablethe wearer to interact with and control the aforementioned computer(s)or computing devices by means of a keyboard or similar or other handand/or finger controlled device or other input devices (including, butnot limited to eye-motion control devices, brain wavelength controldevices, motion-tracking devices (e.g., motion tracking gloves)) tocontrol and/or modify the content viewed on the screen and/or stored inmemory of the eyewear or external hard drive.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments ofthe present disclosure can be made to comply with any applicable orpotentially applicable regulations or other guidelines or best practicesregarding presumed radio frequency transmissions (e.g., concerningtransmissions that may interfere with other devices (e.g., hearingaids)). By way of example only, the apparatus described herein can bemade to meet to regulations defined in the United States of America Codeof Federal Regulations, Title 47 (Telecommunications), Chapter 1(Federal Communications Commission), Part 15 (Radio Frequency Devices).

Any and all references to publications or other documents, including butnot limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, webpages, books,etc., presented in the present application, are herein incorporated byreference in their entirety.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intendedto fall within the scope of the embodiments that are described. It willalso be appreciated by those of skill in the art that features includedin one embodiment are interchangeable with other embodiments; and thatone or more features from a depicted embodiment can be included withother depicted embodiments in any combination. For example, any of thevarious components described herein and/or depicted in the figures maybe combined, interchanged, or excluded from other embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An eyewear system comprising: a frame; aplurality of components integrated with the frame, the plurality ofcomponents includes a digital camera, a microprocessor, a micro-display,projection optics, and optical lenses; at least one of projection opticsand optical lenses components are configured to change one or more ofoptical properties and direction of a received light to thereby generatean optically processed light; and at least one of the digital camera,the microprocessor, and the micro-display components are configured todigitally process the optically processed light to thereby generatedigitally enhanced light, wherein the digitally enhanced light isdirected toward an eye of a user of the eyewear system.
 2. The eyewearsystem according to claim 1, wherein the projection optics include atleast one projector element, at least one first reflective surface andat least one second reflective surface, the at least one projectorelement configured to project at least a portion of an image signal,generated based on an incident light received by the eyewear system,toward the at least one first reflective surface, wherein the at leastone first reflective surface is configured to reflect entire projectedimage signal toward the at least one second reflective surface, whereinthe at least one second reflective surface is configured to direct thereflected image signal into the eye of the user.
 3. The eyewear systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the at least one projector elementincludes at least one beam-splitter for directing the image signaltoward the at least one first reflective surface.
 4. The eyewear systemaccording to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first reflectivesurface, the second reflective surface, and the at least one projectorelement include at least one of the following: at least one lens, atleast one optical lens, at least one condensing optical lens, at leastone lens reflex camera, at least one image screen, at least one mirror,at least one amplifier, a filter, and any combination thereof.
 5. Theeyewear system according to claim 2, wherein the frame includes at leastone sidearm, a nose piece, and at least one eyepiece; wherein thedigital camera, the microprocessor, the micro-display, and theprojection optics are incorporated into at least one of the following:at least one sidearm, a nose piece, at least one eyepiece, and anycombination thereof of the eyewear system.
 6. The eyewear systemaccording to claim 5, wherein a distance from the at least one sidearmto the nose piece is in the range of 40 mm to 90 mm; a distance from atop edge of a lens being secured in the at least one eyepiece to abottom edge of the lens is in the range of 15 mm to 100 mm; a width ofthe nose piece in the range of 1 mm to 25 mm; and a length of the atleast one sidearm is in the range of 100 mm and 180 mm.
 7. The eyewearsystem according to claim 2, wherein the frame includes at least one ofthe following: a battery, one or more electrical connectors, a wirelesscommunication means, and any combination thereof.
 8. The eyewear systemaccording to claim 2, wherein a wireless remote control iscommunicatively coupled with the eyewear system; wherein the wirelessremote control is configured to control one or more functions of atleast one of the following: the digital camera, the microprocessor, themicro-display, and the projection optics and any combination thereof;wherein the one or more functions include at least one of the following:an on/off function, one or more display modes, a digital magnification,a contrast adjustment, a low light level signal amplification, a dynamicrange alteration of one or both eyes of the user, and any combinationthereof.
 9. The eyewear system according to claim 2, wherein the eyewearsystem includes at least one of the following: a digital camera, amicroprocessor, a micro-display, projection optics, an opticalprescription lenses, and any combination thereof.
 10. The eyewear systemaccording to claim 2, wherein an incident light, received by the eyewearsystem, is a low level light; wherein a spectrum of the low level lightis in the range of between 0.0001 lux to 1000 lux.
 11. The eyewearsystem according to claim 2, wherein the eyewear system includes atleast one image generating device, the at least one image generatingdevice includes at least one of the following: at least onecharge-coupled device, at least one complementary metal oxidesemiconductor device, at least one solid state imaging device sensitiveto light, and any combination thereof.
 12. The eyewear system accordingto claim 2, wherein the digitally enhanced light includes one or moreenhanced properties including at least one of the following: a low-lightproperty, a contrast property, a local luminance property, aluminescence property, a digital zoom property, an image size property,an image cropping property, an image stretching property, a resolutionproperty, an optical zoom property, a dynamic range scaling property, acolor property, and any combination thereof.
 13. The eyewear systemaccording to claim 12, wherein the contrast property is modified usingat least one of the following: selecting or changing a chemicalcomposition of at least one optical element of the eyewear system;selecting or changing a chemical composition of at least one filter ofthe eyewear system configured to receive an incident light; selecting orchanging a chemical composition of at least one coating surface of atleast one of the at least one optical element and the projection optics;utilizing a self-cleaning surface or coating of the at least one opticalelement to prevent occlusion of an image signal; and selecting andutilizing at least one polymer surface for the at least one opticalelement to prevent interference with the image signal.
 14. The eyewearsystem according to claim 12, wherein the local luminance propertyprovides enhanced detection of local luminance differences in the rangeof 0 to 25 times.
 15. The eyewear system according to claim 12, whereinthe digital zoom property provides digital zoom in the range of 0 to 25times.
 16. The eyewear system according to claim 12, wherein the opticalzoom property provides optical zoom in the range of 0 to 25 times.